How Engagement Leads to Action That Actually Gets Implemented –
do it the Heart & Soul© Way!
Joan WagnerSenior Associate
Orton Family Foundation
Leanne TingaySenior Associate
Orton Family Foundation
Towns completed Foundations
Currently in process
Active interest in Community Heart & SoulApplied Community Heart & Soul
Funders
H&S Philosophy of Engagement
Getting a Community’s Ideas Heard
Discover What Matters
Data to Action
ON THE MENU TODAY…
Learning Objectives
1. Discover tools for understanding the full scope of who is in your
community and how they connect to downtown.
2. Learn innovative strategies for gathering a community’s ideas that
could benefit downtown.
3. Use data from community stories to mobilize support for actions
that can make a positive difference in downtowns.
Why Main Street and Heart & Soul?
Rediscover what’s special about your town
• It makes sure you know who is in your community.
• You hear from alldemographics.
• You prioritize ideas and actions. Together.
• It’s about where you bring the table so everyone can have a seat.
Planning
Residents
Police/ Fire
PTA
Youth
Public Works
Econ Dev
Busin. Owners
Resident Task
Forces Churches
Schools
Council/ Commissions
Shelters/ Kitchens
Gov’t services & Assist.
ClubsService Orgs.
Siloes working, sometimes on similar goals, but unaware of
efforts/mission of others
Enduring vibrant communities require government, community,
Non-profits working together
Knowing your Community’s
Heart & Soul(your common cause)
Econ Dev Plan
Home & Business
Improvements
Soup Kitchen
Comp Plan
School Bond
Backpack Program
Downtown Plan or
Main Street
Single Haul Trash
ZoningLand Use/Dev
N’HoodWatch
Homes for Homeless
Youth Programs
Resident Task
Forces
PTA
Farm to
Table
Pulling Weeds &
Park
W
It starts with a story!
Intentional Broad
Thick Thin
Thin and Broad
Thick and Intentional
let’s gather a story!
Small, convenient shops.
Arts.
14. HEART & SOUL STATEMENTS AND TOWN COMPREHENSIVE PLANSVALIDATING HEART & SOUL STATEMENTS
1Step: 2 3Managing ExpectationsPhase 3: Make Decisions1Step: 2 3
Theme
We treasure our friendly community with its safe, close-knit family feel &
generational continuity which keeps proud history alive, creating a warm & welcoming atmosphere for residents &
visitors alike
Impact/Feasibility Matrix
IMPACT
FEASIBILITY
Lower Higher
Low
erH
igh
erCREATE THIS MATRIX ON
FLIPCHART PAPER
(Ex.
: val
ue
to c
om
mu
nit
y; s
cop
e an
d d
epth
of
imp
act)
(Ex.: effort, resources, cost consideration)
Thank you for joining usas we come together to build successful
futures for small towns in Virginia.